During the early 1960s, Albert DeSalvo, also known as ‘The Boston Strangler’, brutally murdered 13 women in Massachusetts. Now, the events of how two trailblazing reporters broke the story come to life in Hulu’s new film, Boston Strangler.
While telling the story of the infamous ‘Boston Strangler’ murders, the film makes a point to highlight how the two women – Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole – challenged the sexism of the 60s to report on the city’s most notorious serial killer.
Working tirelessly to keep women informed, their efforts will be showcased in Boston Strangler, with the first trailer (which you can watch in the video player above) teasing the tense mystery that the reporters attempt to crack.
Here, everything else you need to know about the film, including where to watch it online in Australia, who is in the cast and the true story that inspired it all.
What is Boston Strangler about?
As per the synopsis, the film follows Loretta McLaughlin, a reporter for the Record-American newspaper, who becomes the first journalist to connect the Boston Strangler murders.
As the mysterious killer claims more and more victims, Loretta attempts to continue her investigation alongside colleague and confidante Jean Cole, yet the duo finds themselves stymied by the rampant sexism of the era.
Nevertheless, McLaughlin and Cole bravely pursue the story at great personal risk, putting their own lives on the line in their quest to uncover the truth.
WATCH BELOW: Boston Strangler | I Think I Found Something | Hulu
Is Boston Strangler based on a true story?
Boston Strangler is based on the real-life case of Albert DeSalvo, who murdered 13 women in Massachusetts between 1962 and 1964. Before he was identified as the Boston Strangler, he was arrested and charged with several counts of assault, burglary and sex offences in 1964.
It was then, in 1967, that Albert made a jailhouse confession and admitted to the killings of the 13 women – but due to a lack of evidence, he was never charged in relation to the case. That was until years later in 2013 when new evidence came to light.
DNA from his nephew showed a 99.99 per cent familial match with DNA found on Mary (the Boston Strangler’s last victim) which helped authorities conclude that Albert was likely responsible for the other 12 murders as well.
As for Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole, they wrote a four-part series about the murders for the Record American, one of the city’s leading newspapers which is now the Boston Herald, and gave the killer his infamous moniker, ‘The Boston Strangler’.
Who is cast in Boston Strangler?
Boston Strangler stars Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game, Pride & Prejudice) as Loretta McLaughlin, the reporter who broke the story of ‘The Boston Strangler’, and Carrie Coon (Fargo, The Gilded Age) as Jean Cole, a fellow reporter.
They’re joined by Alessandro Nivola (Amsterdam) as Detective Conley, David Dastmalchian (Dune) as Albert DeSalvo, Morgan Spector (Homeland) as James McLaughlin, and Chris Cooper (Adaptation) as Jack Maclaine.
Where to watch Boston Strangler in Australia
Boston Strangler is ready to stream now on Disney+ after its March 17 release date, joining a range of other hits like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Stream Boston Strangler on Disney Plus, live and on demand with a mth-to-mth or annual subscription. Sign up now here.
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